San Diego cop shot by known gang member

The officer went into emergency surgery and is expected to make a full recovery

By Tony Perry
Los Angeles Times

SAN DIEGO — A 31-year-old convicted felon is in San Diego County jail on suspicion of shooting a San Diego police officer Thursday while attempting to avoid arrest, according to jail records.

Ignacio Canela is being held on multiple charges of possession of drugs, possession of burglary tools, being a felon with a firearm, evading arrest and attempted murder. There is no bail listed.

Canela is suspected of shooting the officer in an attempt to keep from being arrested on a warrant for assault with a deadly weapon. Officials said Canela is a known gang member.

The officer, whose name has not been officially released, underwent emergency surgery and is expected to make a full recovery, officials said.

The officer was shot in the arm, leg and chest after chasing a suspect into a canyon in the City Heights area.

Acting Mayor Todd Gloria said Friday morning that he visited with the officer's family at the hospital Thursday night.

"He's well," Gloria said. "His vest clearly saved his life. The other officers did a great job in caring for him after he was shot."

Capt. Terry McManus said the incident began in the mid afternoon with officers watching the suspect in the mid-city area and planning to make an arrest. The suspect then drove away, with police cars in pursuit, he said.

The suspect exited Interstate 15, jumped out of his car, ran into a canyon and tried to escape by running into a drainage ditch, McManus said. The officer and suspect were in that ditch when the shooting occurred, he said.

After the officer was shot, other officers arrested Canela without incident, police said.

A radio call of 1199 — which means "officer needs assistance" — brought dozens of officers from the San Diego Police Department and other law enforcement agencies.